Introduction to Vegetable Farming Tips, Techniques, Ideas in India
Vegetable farming means growing vegetable crops mainly for use as human food. Successful vegetable farming requires the grower to make daily decisions regarding soil requirements, pest management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Vegetable plants have the advantage of giving a relatively quick return. Most vegetable plants only take 6 weeks to 6 months between planting and harvesting.
Commercial vegetable farming has an important part of the agriculture business. It has supported the livelihood of farmers through household subsistence farming to commercial-scale business. Vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, Thiamin, and vitamins A and C. They also supply minerals like calcium and iron besides proteins and carbohydrates. Most of the vegetables, being short duration crops, fit well in the intensive cropping system and are capable of giving high yields and also providing better health standards to the people.
A Step by Step Guide to Vegetable Farming Tips, Techniques, Ideas, Business Plan
Vegetable farming accomplished only when maximum stand establishment is achieved. Stand reduction results in reduced yields and variable product quality. Several factors contribute to standing establishment in the production of vegetable crops. Environmental factors like soil, temperature, etc., as well as pathogens that attack seeds and seedlings, contribute to reduced stands. Understanding both the influence of the seed planted and the soil conditions in which the seed is sown is necessary for crop establishment. Staggered emergence results in seedlings of several sizes. Plant cultural practices like herbicide and insecticide applications after emergence may be less effective in fields of non-uniform growth. Plants of different sizes within one population also cause problems in timing side-dress applications.
Vegetable cultivation is a type of crop production intended mainly for human consumption. According to the consuming part of the crop, vegetable plants are divided into the following groups;
- Leafy vegetables (Lettuce, Cabbage, Spinach)
- Fruit vegetables (Pepper, Cucumber, Tomato)
- Root vegetables (Carrot, Radish, Sweet Potato)
- Bulb vegetables (Garlic, Onion, Fennel)
- Flower vegetables (Artichoke, Cauliflower, Broccoli)
Types of Vegetable Production
In developed countries the three main types of vegetable farming are based on vegetable production for the fresh market, for processing means canning, freezing, dehydration, and pickling, and to obtain seeds for planting.
Production for the fresh market – This is mainly divided into home gardening, market gardening, truck farming, and vegetable forcing.
Home gardening provides vegetables for family use. Desirable home vegetable garden crops Bean, Cabbage, Carrot, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Pea, Pepper, Radish, Spinach, and Tomato. Market gardening produces different vegetable plants for a local market. Truck farming produces specific vegetable plants in large quantities for distant markets. Vegetable plants are produced out of their normal season of outdoor production under forcing structures for plant growth in vegetable forcing.
Production for processing – Processed vegetables includes canned, dehydrated, frozen, and pickled products. The cost of production per unit area of land and per ton is less for processing crops than for the same crops grown for the market because raw material appearance is not a major factor in processing. This difference allows lower land value, less hand labor, and lower handling cost.
Conditions for vegetables for canning and freezing include small size, high quality, and uniformity. Acceptable processed vegetables have a taste, odor, and appearance compared with the fresh product and has good storage stability.
Vegetables raised for seed production – This farming requires special skills and methods. Different methods are applied during the flowering and seed development stages and also in harvesting and threshing the seeds.
Points and Tips to Consider in Starting Vegetable Farming
A vegetable farming business demands proper planning, investment, and marketing. However, here we have discussed some of the basic points to start vegetable farming.
- First of all, to start any business planning is necessary.
- Then, figure out how much area you have
- According to the agro-climatic condition select the vegetable for farming.
- You must consider the local market. Because vegetables are hugely perishable items.
- Also, cultivate the scope of export.
- Select the right plant species.
- Also, you must arrange the proper irrigation for your farm.
- Plan for harvesting storage.
- Calculate the entire working capital cost.
- Finally, you must arrange the required finance.
Vegetable Farming Tips and Ideas for Beginners
